Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

Floor Speech

H.R. 897 would establish the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary, which would safeguard a remarkable and ancient natural reserve.

In 2004, Hurricane Ivan unearthed a well-preserved ancient cypress forest, still rooted in the mud, 60 feet underwater in the Gulf of Mexico, south of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Scientific analysis of the cypress trees reveals that they are over 50,000 years old, dating back to a time when the sea levels were approximately 400 feet lower than today.

This forest is a unique relic of our planet's past and the only known site where a coastal forest of such antiquity remains preserved.

The Alabama underwater forest is a valuable source of information, offering insights into ancient climate conditions, regional rainfall patterns, insect populations, and plant life on the Gulf Coast before humans inhabited the Americas.

However, its preservation is under threat.

In 2020, a furniture company applied for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to harvest the ancient cypress wood for profit.

Establishing this marine sanctuary will prevent commercial exploitation and protect this irreplaceable ecosystem for future generations. It will ensure that the site remains undisturbed, allowing for continued scientific research and environmental education.

Additionally, the sanctuary will provide opportunities for ecotourism and research, boosting the local economy while fostering a greater understanding of our natural heritage.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to protect and preserve this unique piece of natural history. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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